Comments on: Why We Don’t Use Grade Levels http://TheMathWorksheetSite.com/blog/?p=20 Tue, 07 Sep 2010 20:25:08 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.0.4 by: BJ Madden http://TheMathWorksheetSite.com/blog/?p=20#comment-373 Wed, 20 Sep 2006 12:36:05 +0000 http://TheMathWorksheetSite.com/blog/?p=20#comment-373 Wonderful! A lot of people don't realize that grade levels are somewhat arbitrary, anyway. Even a cursory look at the contents pages of several different math books for the same grade will show that they agree on many things, but not everything, to include and often suggest teaching the skills a different way. Grade levels actually can slow down some students who can & should go past the arbitrary level set by a text book, or who feel that they're "dumb" at math. It's good to slow down to thoroughly learn something when you need extra practice or when you want to explore at greater depth, and then to speed up when you're competent but not as interested. I've found that the level-less system piques the curiosity of my children, who sometimes get to pick an extra worksheet in an area that grabs their attention. We have a math "program", but like everyone, they learn best what they're curious about, and this site is wonderful for exploring new topics and stretching, as well as strengthening major skills. Wonderful! A lot of people don’t realize that grade levels are somewhat arbitrary, anyway. Even a cursory look at the contents pages of several different math books for the same grade will show that they agree on many things, but not everything, to include and often suggest teaching the skills a different way.

Grade levels actually can slow down some students who can & should go past the arbitrary level set by a text book, or who feel that they’re “dumb” at math. It’s good to slow down to thoroughly learn something when you need extra practice or when you want to explore at greater depth, and then to speed up when you’re competent but not as interested.

I’ve found that the level-less system piques the curiosity of my children, who sometimes get to pick an extra worksheet in an area that grabs their attention. We have a math “program”, but like everyone, they learn best what they’re curious about, and this site is wonderful for exploring new topics and stretching, as well as strengthening major skills.

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